2009 New Year's Resolution

Blog readers! I hope you had a Merry Christmas and as the new year approaches let me be the first to wish you a Happy New Year! I was asked a couple of weeks ago if I were going to write another blog and my answer was sure, if I am so inspired. Well, with the new year approaching, I thought what better way to express myself than put my resolution in a blog. So what is my resolution? It is simple but it is important, I am no longer going to worry about the "haters"! Now I am sure you are asking, "surely Sherry, you don't have haters?" Honestly I don't know if I do or not, but I am serving notice on any past, present, or future ones. As I feel like I need to purge and get some stuff off my chest in order to start the year off fresh! I am not taking anything negative into my new year! No negative vibes and no negative energy! Who's with me?

Anyhoo, on facebook, my cousin often uses this expression, "all the haters can go kick rocks!" And I thought, hmmmmm...I like that! In this context, it simply means, "get outta my face" or "move on" or "leave me alone", or "go find something else to do with your time"...So here I am at almost 2 in the morning, on behalf of myself and others like me, telling all the haters to KICK ROCKS! Maybe I should clarify...you knew I would...

1. If my efforts to live God's Way and do God's Will offends some folks, then they are haters and can go KICK ROCKS!
2. If the fact I know that I am not perfect but I know how and not too proud to seek God's forgiveness bothers some folks, then they are haters and can go KICK ROCKS!
3. If the fact that I can be happy and single until God wants me happy and married turns some folks world inside out, then they are haters and can go KICK ROCKS!
4. If the fact I am still in school turns some folks stomachs even though they don't receive my tuition bill, then they are haters and can go KICK ROCKS!
5. If when I tell some folks what degree I am working on causes them to make assumptions about me, then they are haters and can go KICK ROCKS!
6. If the fact I love Jesus and fear God causes me to try to and make good, godly decisions baffles some folks, then they are haters and can go KICK ROCKS!
7. If the fact I believe in the power of prayer, and pray in public or in private messes with some folks minds, then they are haters and can go KICK ROCKS!
8. If when I don't do the things some folks think I should do just cause they think I should or cause it's what they do sticks in their crow, then they are haters and can go KICK ROCKS!
9. If the fact I have learned how to handle adversity, take hard knocks, bounce back and still love and serve God gets some folks blood boiling then they are haters and can go KICK ROCKS!
10. If the fact I don't claim to be a perfect Christian, but I am an UNAPOLOGETIC CHRISTIAN makes some folks nerves stand on end, then they are haters and can go KICK ROCKS!

BONUS - If you profess to be a Christian and ashamed to say it, worried more about what others think than what God thinks, only seek God when there's a problem, too proud to admit you ain't got it all together, and find living for God an inconvenience but expect God to be on His job 24-7, then while God ain't gonna say this 'cause He loves you, I am telling you to go KICK ROCKS!!!

*This blog is dedicated to the men and women of God, who know their purpose and not afraid to walk in it! Remember there were some folks that didn't understand Jesus either! :) AMEN!

Time for HIS STORY...

Blog readers!!! I know you are surprised to see a new blog from me as I said I was going on a hiatus. But recently the Spirit of God has been speaking to me and I have to be obediant...Thus here I am bloggin' a blog.

Let me preface this blog (cause sometimes you have to preface stuff to let people know up front where you are coming from or they will get all offended...not yall but I know you know someone like that...) by saying I am not writing this to purposely offend anyone, I am not writing this to promote any political agenda and if it is taken anyway other than the spirit in which I am writing (love), I apologize up front.

Let's face it folks, this election process has been one of the most exciting, strange, and annoying all at once that I have ever experienced. Yes, I'm gonna say it, most black folks are really happy about Obama's chance at becoming President. No problem with that. Just like there is no problem with some women being excited about Palin having a chance at being the first female VP. But folks I have to tell ya, there is a problem with turning excitement into obsession! And while we don't want to acknowledge the BIG OL' ELEPHANT, election insanity, it is becoming real prevalent! For instance, how uncool is it for a man to hold a woman at gun point force his views on her b/c she is an Obama supporter or for two guys to hang a Palin mannequin from their roof with a noose. Come on people, the election process is not new...but what this one has done was uncover just how extreme folks can be...Anyway, I will be glad when the election is over...I am tired of the craziness, the tv ads, the yards signs, the racism, and most of all, the emails...Oh yeah, I have been getting tons of emails from both sides...pro-Obama and pro-McCain...

But here is what I really want to get in to and I am trying to let the Lord lead me, so hang in there. A month of Sundays ago, I was on my way to church, and I passed some street vendors. This is nothing new...but this particular Sunday, my attention was drawn to the t-shirts he was selling. These were Obama t-shirts with his face on the front, blowing in the Sunday morning breeze. And I thought, wow, suppose folks were this excited about Jesus?...not that I am saying they should've been selling t-shirts with Jesus on the front...wouldn't make sense no way since we don't know what Jesus looks like...anyway, my point is not about the t-shirts but about the mind set. Then my thoughts went to, is any of this (the t-shirts, the buttons, the dolls, etc...) a form of idoltry? Think about it...People from both sides are really consumed with these four individuals (Obama/Biden, McCain/Palin) to the point of feuding with family members, losing friends, vandalism, and saddest of all wanting to physically harm or kill those who don't see as you do...Are people for real? Have they made mini gods out of these folks?

A friend shared a conversation with me. She said a guy made the statement to her, that as a Christian, she should vote for Obama because he stands for hope, the same kind of hope that Jesus stood for... my initial thought was, "you gotta be freakin' kiddin me?" Folks, we need to be very careful...God is not mocked, we will reap what we sow...Now, let me say, this has no reflection on what I think about Obama because as far as I know he never asked anyone to place him on a pedistal or compare his seeking a government office to the death and ressurrection of Jesus the Christ. I think he wants to be president because he feels like he can make a difference...which is how I am sure McCain feels as well. They just have different approaches...

As recently as yesterday, I received this email about a fast. Now I believe wholeheartedly in fasting. So I am like let's see what this is about...the email was encouraging folks, as Christians, to fast for Obama. And I thought hmmmm...it didn't sit well with me and I couldn't figure out why. I mean I certainly don't want any harm to come to him or no one else...and I believe in fasting...so what was my problem? Then God spoke to me...

As a Christian, in light of all the evil and craziness behind this year's election...wouldn't it be more appropriate to fast for all parties involved and over the whole process? As a Christian, my concern should not be limited to just who I want to become President. Let's look past earthly matters and turn our hearts and minds to the things of God who is concerned about all of His creation. Let's fast that whoever is elected will humble himself and acknowledge the I AM and seek His face for wisdom and understanding. God is still in charge whether you believe it or not. No one, and I mean NO ONE, not Barack, not John can do anything unless it is God's Will and God's allows him too. Let's fast because folks are going crazy over this election and some strange times are coming in America. We got folks out here plotting to decapitate black folks and kill Obama...why should I have a target on my back because they don't want a black man for president? How crazy is that? People attacking and beating McCain campaign workers! What cause is this helping or promoting? I will tell you, it is promoting the work of the enemy! And God is not pleased with us. If we are gonna fast about something, we need to fast that God's mercy will appear and not His wrath!

God is not mocked, we will reap what we sow! He is showing us but we are too consumed to see it. Believe tough times are coming. Let's fast that the folks who don't know Jesus will come to know Him. On Christ the solid rock we need to stand because all other ground is sinking sand.

There will be no redemption and salvation coming from the next United States President. While making history would be a defining moment...HIS STORY is the one we need to focus on if we are gonna make it. Let's fast and ask God to forgive us for putting our trust in man and not in Him. God is a jealous God, He told us this and if you know the WORD, He has destroyed entire nations (men, women, children, and animals) just to get the attention of His people.

Just something to consider. It is my prayer that I said this the way God wanted me to. And if I didn't, Lord please forgive me...

Be blessed Blog Readers! Not sure when I will pass this way again. But you never know...

My Voice - My Choice

"O beautiful for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties Above the fruited plain! America! America! God shed his grace on thee And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea!"

In case you didn't know these are the words to America the Beautiful. Hmmmmm...America the Beautiful...Is it really? So have you been following the election race? I mean how can you not...unless of course you are the most disconnected person on the planet. So who's your man? Obama or McCain? You don't have to tell me. But you had to know I could not let these historic events go without giving my stance on things. And then I am gonna make a risky move and tell you who I want to be my leader. I think some will be surprised and then some won't b/c well yall know how I do...after all some of you have come to know exactly how my mind works...But first I wanna say a few things...may I? Thanks!

MY VOICE

So we have an election of epic proportions. We've seen a campaign with candidates that truly represent this melting pot in which we live. But now it comes down to two men who see things totally different and both think they are right. It's funny, I just took a little online citizenship quiz and it asked who is the government accountible to? And the answer I chose was "The people" and guess what? I was right! Soooo, if the government is accountible to the people, how is it only two different points of view of two men are our only choices for president? Basically, when you vote, unless you write in a name, you are saying I stand solely with Obama or I stand solely with McCain. But what if you can pull a little from both sides, your voice really doesn't count. So is this fair? This electorial process is very polarized and in my opinion broken.

Do the words below sound familiar? What do they mean? Apparantly these are just words on paper. Because there are Americans who can quote but don't really believe the first line. Not even the men that wrote it. From the beginning this government was suspect but I do think the founding fathers were trying to get it right but they still had some misguided ideas they refused to let go of. Anyway, read it with me:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."

Hmmmmm...yeah, so what is wrong with this picture? Same thing that has been wrong for a long time. It was never the intention for man to be governed by man. So will we ever get it right, of course not. We just don't get it and as long as we try to do it our way and not God's way, we never will.

Since the day the Israelites asked for a King...(1 Samuel 8:4-22):

(4) So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah. (5) They said to him, "You are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have." (6) But when they said, "Give us a king to lead us," this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD. (7) And the LORD told him: "Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. (8) As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. (9) Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will do." (10) Samuel told all the words of the LORD to the people who were asking him for a king. (11) He said, "This is what the king who will reign over you will do: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots. (12) Some he will assign to be commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and others to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and still others to make weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. (13) He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. (14) He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. (15) He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants. (16) Your menservants and maidservants and the best of your cattle and donkeys he will take for his own use. (17) He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves. (18) When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, and the LORD will not answer you in that day." (19) But the people refused to listen to Samuel. "No!" they said. "We want a king over us. (20) Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles." (21) When Samuel heard all that the people said, he repeated it before the LORD. (22) The LORD answered, "Listen to them and give them a king." Then Samuel said to the men of Israel, "Everyone go back to his town."

MY CHOICE

The people had a KING, a real KING who could fight and win any battle but they didn't see it. They were blind and wanted to live like the rest of the world. But this passage has really been eye-opening for me. Cause I thought, hmmmm, I don't need a president. I have something better and greater. See while I intend to exercise my right to vote, my leader has been around and has done more for me than any man. See I place no faith in Obama, I place no faith McCain. My help does not come from either of them. So it doesn't matter what they do, I have a connection with the I AM. So while the world fights and feuds over the ideologies of two men and two politcial parties, I can't get bogged down in that. I know the Obama folks are saying, but Sherry what about HOPE! To that I say, "My Hope is built on nothing less than Jesus's blood and righteousness!" And I can hear the McCain folks saying what about the safety and security of our nation and our freedom? To that I say, "Now the Lord is Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty!"

I think Martin Luther King Jr. said it best when he proclaimed in his final speech:

"Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now. Because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people will get to the promised land. And I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord."

Battle of the Sexes

I know what you are thinking..."another blog so soon?" Sure, why not? My thoughts always come in spurts and this time I have spurted again. Before I begin, let me just say, Happy early July 4th! Don't pig out too much this weekend. But I hope you do enjoy yourself. At least try to use this weekend not to think about gas prices...that's enough to depress anyone.

So anyway, here's what was on my mind. I was actually going to write a continuation to my "friendship" blog as I still have some more to say on the matter BUT something else came along and I decided to blog about this instead. Of course I might spurt again and still write my Friend blog part II, we'll see. So a couple of weeks ago, I received this email which contained a sermon called "Sex and the City" The pastor was using references to the movie about the four friends looking for love as they live in NYC. Now I never watched the tv show so I didn't have any interest in seeing the movie but I kinda have the gist of what it is about just from the previews, etc...So this pastor's sermon begins using these women as examples and then he goes on to discuss relationships, sex, and single Christians. Anyway, I decided to pose my concerns of this message to a Christian male whose opinion I trust. Then I thought I need to blog about this so here are my thoughts as I posed them to him. Of course, it's not verbatim, I had to tailor it for my blog readers...

As I listened to the message I was like "he is preachin'!!!"... but then I began to ponder the message later that evening. Then as I considered it some more and my cynical side began to surface. Why cynicism? Because I thought, (1) we've, Christians, heard all this before and (2) many will agree with these messages, praise the Lord but still follow their flesh and (3) most of these messages come from married preachers who rarely expose how they handled these situations before they got married. For all we know, they have been married all their lives and never dealt with this kind of thing. I will give Juanita Bynum credit though, she is one of the few who pulled out her skeletons with her "No More Sheets" message which was before she got married. I think that is why women were drawn to her. Then she got married and acted just like the rest...

Anyway, I thought he seemed to be doing a lot of talking to the women. A lot of his examples, inferences, and what not seemed to speak to the mistakes and bad choices women make. Of course, one could argue, his message was equally relevant to men. Sure. But I am thinking why not just put it out there about the men too, if he is going to take the direct approach. I have said time and time again, Christian men are not subjected to the criticisms and scrutiny of the Christian women. But who are these men leading the women astray? I can tell you, not all of them are non-Christian men. There are Christian men who want a Christian woman cause they want to be "equally yoked" but aren't really ready to submit to God's will. So what do they do, they either (1) convince the woman since she is his "soul mate" it is okay to sleep together, (2) respect the woman's wishes but gets his kicks on the side from someone more willing, (3) knows good Christian women but because she doesn't look a certain or act a certain way (usually by worldly standards), decides to get a non-Christian women who fits what he wants and hopes she will change or here's the biggy, (4) uses scripture to try and justify being disobedient and then relying on the fact, God is a forgiving God. All this makes me wonder, does a Christian man really want a Christian woman? While Christian women fall all over themselves, doing non-Christian things to snag a Christian man, Christian men do not seem to be pressed about it.

I am not taking the responsibility off the women because life is about choices. But can't you see how some women will say, "well, I want a man, he's a good man and a Christian and if all I have to do is this and that, I won't lose him." Soooo, she does and he moves on 'cause well, she has lost her credibility in his eyes. Now when what is done in the dark comes out in the light, the woman is looked at as a weak Christian, she needs prayer, please help her Lord and no one says, well what about the man? Remember, now I am not talking about the non-Christian men 'cause frankly we know how they roll. I am talking about the Christian ones.

God held Adam responsible for Eve's actions. So why is it always the women who need pray for deliverance and pray for strength and to get their acts together? Of course we do need to do this but I am speaking particularly about these kinds of single Christians messages like the pastor preached. They always seem to be directed at women. And it is funny how, when I think back to all of the sermons I have heard of this nature, they all are women-centric but for some reason, it finally hit me, "this is so one sided, what about what the men are up to?" Maybe I didn't notice before because it is what I had come to expect. One could argue maybe it is because there are more women than men in church. Which makes me think well there's the problem. Women are in church, the men are hit and miss so they are not being convicted as often. But on the other hand, if the women are the ones in church, what are they learning or what is being taught, if they can get so easily sidetracked from God's will? Hmmmmmm...

Either way, male or female, the truth is the truth and so put it out there for both sides. Sin has no gender last time I checked. It ain't just the women messing up. Now while I learned that this pastor does have a large female congregation, I can imagine that the women definitely left that service feeling alot crappier than the men did.

Honestly, I think the men still get off easy. Here is an example of what I mean just to illustrate my point though...I believe a Christian woman does want a real Christian man but a Christian man can take her (if she is willing to compromise) or leave her (he'll get a worldly woman and not worry about it). Either way, he's good in society's eyes. How so? Well, in the first instance, no one will know about the compromise, cause the Christian woman won't tell b/c it will make her faith look shaky and the Christian man won't tell cause he'll look like a playa or rogue. So what will people think? "Aw, What a fine Christian man. He found a fine Christian woman!" In the second instance, he will look like a hero, rescuing the worldly woman from a life of sin, helping her turn her life around. And of course if things don't work out, it won't be because he should have never been with her in the first place, it will be because she wasn't a Christian to begin with.


Are you following my logic? Probably not, but that's cool. I am sure one can argue against my points but remember this is of course just my humble opinion. At least I gave those of you who care about stuff like this something to think about. Anyway, yall can stick a fork in me 'cause I'm done!

*This blog is dedicated to "Sunshine". Thanks for indulging me and not getting offended as I went on my tirade about Christian men. Your feedback and understanding was greatly appreciated! And dedicated to "B-side" for her commitment to living for the Lord and being an inspiration!

The Real BFF

I don't know where you are blog readers but I hope you have some AC. Boy it is hot here in Charlottesville, VA. And while I was complaining about the cold office I sit in, I am not saying a mumbling word about it today. Anyway, it has been a while but time got away from me as I was making my transition to Charlottesville, VA for the summer. Nevertheless, I always have something on my mind but it usually takes the right moment in time for me to put my thoughts into a blog. So here I am and I guess what you wanna know is, what's on my mind this time?

Well, some recent, some not-so-recent, and some fairly old events have caused me to re-evaluate the meaning of the term "friend". I know yall are like "uh-oh, who knocked over Sherry's Kool-aid?" Ah well I wish it were so simple. But actually it is a lot deeper for me than you may imagine. It's funny because nowadays, the term friend is used quite loosely. Especially on the internet. You have "myspace friends", "facebook friends", "Aggienation friends". Some people have over 1000 myspace friends. Now I ask you is it even possible to call over a thousand people your friend? Acquaintance, yes! Associate, yes, colleague, yes! But friend? I don't think so. Well I don't have that many myspace friends and truth be told, they are not all really my "friends". Now this is not a bad thing, doesn't mean I don't care about these folks. It just means by my definition of what a friend is, they are not all friends. You now even have the term BFF which for you less cool, savvy folks who don't keep up with the lingo of the young folks, means "Best Friends Forever". Imma come back to this term in a moment...

So what do I think is a friend? Well as recent as today, I got this list of what a friend is from a friend/she-ro of mine and I tend to agree with what she says. So rather than re-invent the list, I will just give it to yall. She says a friend is:

• someone who listens
• someone who is honest
• someone who doesn't judge
• someone who actually cares about me and how I am doing just as much as I care about them and how they are doing
• someone who checks in on me periodically
• someone that has your back in good/bad/sad times
• someone who can keep things in confidence
• someone who can be honest with you and vice versa
• someone you can talk to about anything or about nothing at all
• someone who doesn't get mad if you don't call them right back and understands that you WILL call them and they understand that we all have busy lives
• someone you can laugh with, cry with
• someone who doesn't put on any airs or wear any masks

Now you see why I used this list? Pretty impressive right? As I read this list, I thought, ok Sherry, do you have any people like this in your life? And to my surprise, my list is real short. Some of yall are surprised by that. Being a world-renowned blogger (smile) doesn't make you a friend magnet, I will tell you. Now some of yall no doubt are reading this and thinking "am I on Sherry's friend list?" Well read the list, if this applies to you then yes, absolutely, you are my friend. If not, then I love ya anyhow!!! Now some of yall don't really care if you are my friend and that's cool too. Cause I love you as well with the love of my BFF! And feel free to put me to the test. Cause I actually would not expect people to be for me what I am not for them. And if I don't pass then I love ya anyhow. But know, I am trying.

Now is it reasonable for me to think one person could be all those things in the list? I don't know. It's not like it is rocket science. Basically boils down to being a loving and caring individual. I try and I may fall short but I am always evaluating what I can do to be a better person and better friend. Why? Cause it is important to me to be real with people, with myself and most of all, real with God. And that is all I can expect from anyone and that is to be real. But sometimes, I have expected a bit more than what I have received just because I just expect people to be real. Yea, I am an idealist but yall knew that already. Anyway, these high expectations usually put me in a place of learning hard lessons on who is real and who isn't. Who I can trust and who I can't. Who I can count on and who I can't. Who is my friend and who is not.

But today ladies and gentleman, I am writing this blog to say, my head is no longer in the clouds. I am experiencing some freedom of my mind. I often wondered if I could do this without compromising who I am. And this same person who gave me the list, told me no, I don't have to compromise. Basically, I am not comfortable compromising who I am by God's grace to line up with everyone else. You know how we do, "if they don't care about me, then I don't care about them. If they don't call me, I am not calling them, if they can't be honest with me then I am not gonna be honest with them...blah blah blah." I really want to be someone like this cause frankly it would be easier. But that is not who I am. So what's next?

What's next is I look to the example of the real BFF? (you know best friend forever). Guess who? Yea Jesus! Yep now he is a friend. I mean, he knew Judas was gonna sell him out but did he kick Judas out the crew. Nope. He loved him anyhow. He told Peter, you might say all that stuff now about dying for me but you are gonna turn your back on me, not once but 3 times...When the Roman soldiers came, all Jesus's boys ran. The same men who had been with Jesus and pledged loyalty to...left. But Jesus continued to love them as raggedy as they were. He kept his promise to send a comforter even after He was gone. But most importantly, He never compromised who He was or what He was called to do no matter how unbelieving they were. Now He did call them out on it. They never got away with it but He never stopped loving them and it didn't stop Him from making the ultimate sacrifice for them. WOW! Now that is a true friend! Good news for me, cause I believe, is that He is my friend too. The real BFF!

Now I certainly don't expect any of yall to be a friend to me like Jesus. Cause there is only one Jesus. And if you expect me to be like that then yall gonna be real disappointed. Best I can do is pray that God will help me be who I need to be in Him so I can be a better friend to whoever I am called to be a friend too.

Well my mind is free and I am outta here. Talk to yall soon, BBRF (that means Best Blog Readers Forever)

*This blog is dedicated to my friends, you know who you are*

Sorry...OUT OF ORDER

Happy Resurrection Day Blog Readers! I know some of yall are confused, but tomorrow is NOT my birthday. I was born on Easter but we know Easter falls on a different Sunday every year. Nevertheless, I so enjoy this holiday which is the BIG KAHUNA of all holidays (at least for Christians). But as special as it is, the world has reduced it to colored eggs and bunny rabbits. The other day I was watching the Today Show which I love, and they were featuring everything Easter from easter egg hunts to easter meals to easter outfits. Ask me if they mentioned J-E-S-U-S...yeah but it was to talk about some debate of whether some shroud was the one He was buried in. I was like, Oooooh-Kay! Jesus died for the sins of the whole world and they want to discuss a shroud. I mean really, He only used it for 3 days anyhow. I don't care about that.

But should I have expected more, Naw! I know the deal even some Christians miss the point. So what more can we expect from the world? Oh yeah, church will be packed tomorrow and everyone will be wearing their new outfits looking real spiffy. But as I was thinking, like I usually do, most of us need to wear the shirts like the one shown in the picture to church tomorrow 'cause most of us are "out of order". I hear ya, "what are you talking about Sherry?" Well you know what Out of Order means? Broke, Needs Repair, Not functioning properly...It is the dreaded sign we hate to see on bathroom stalls and copy machines. OUT_OF_ORDER. Can not be used! Are you with me? Good.

So what am I really saying? Okay, follow me, the first people who need to put on one of these signs is all those people who only show up at church on Easter Sunday. They are straight up, no chaser, out of order. Or how about those folks only want to see what people are wearing, yep, out of order. How about the Christian folks who know what this holiday means but were the first ones at Wal-Mart buying decorations such as easter baskets and candy and colored eggs, or sticking some plastic easter bunny statues out on the front lawn. Say it with me, "Out of Order..."

Now this whole thing gets deeper because being out of order as a Christian is not limited to Easter Sunday. Oh noooooooo. We are out of order all the time, we just think nobody knows it. But God knows it. Remember Galations 6:7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Funny thing is, we take God's forgiveness for granted that some of us get out of order and stay there for a real long time. Not sure why, who wants to be broke down all the time? I sure don't. Some folks like being out of order. But is that how Christians should want to live? Is that how God wants us to live?

(Uh oh, here come the questions) So Sherry, how do you know if you are Out of Order? Essentially, if you are outside the will of God, you are out of order. So Sherry, what is the will of God? God tells us His will in His Word. Read the bible and you will know. So Sherry, is it that simple, just read the bible? Heck no! If it were, everyone would be saved. So Sherry, why are you writing this blog? Well #1 - It is what was on my mind and #2 - I like to encourage others and #3 - I have to encourage myself! Believe it or not, I am just a sinner saved by grace striving everyday to stay in God's Will and not be out of order. I certainly don't want God to tell me on judgment day that my words, my actions, my life confused and messed up some folks. Who wants that blood on their hands? Maybe Oprah but not me...(don't get me started on Oprah, that is another blog for another time.)

So Sherry, how are you gonna talk about others, what about you? Do you need a sign? Glad you asked cause I was just wearin' an Out of Order sign last week. See, I was complaining to God about how come He couldn't just do what I asked Him to do and if He was gonna do it, why was He taking His sweet time? And I was not happy and I was sulking and I was so Out Of Order. And it didn't take me long to realize it. You ever been fussing with your parents and something slipped out and you thought, "oops, I didn't mean to say that, at least not out loud." And your mom or dad gave you this look like, "What did you just say to me?" or "Who do you think you are talking to? I am not one of your friends." Am I the only one this ever happened to? Anyway, I know this is how God was looking at me, in fact I felt it deep down in my spirit. Then He slapped a big Out of Order sign around my heart. But the good news is, I didn't want to stay out of order. That sign was heavy! I knew I had to get back right. So the next day, I fasted and I prayed and I repented. God and I are cool again. WHEW! I needed repair and He fixed me and took that Out of Order sign off my heart. Hmmmmm, perhaps that happened so I could write this blog.

Anyway, I guess the point is recognizing when you are Out of Order and taking the necessary steps to get back in line. Yes God forgives but the consequences of being out of order remain. He says we will reap what we sow. So what will you be wearing tomorrow on Resurrection Sunday or any other day? The Out of Order sign or the Blood of Jesus...

Is America Ready?

Happy Black History Month! Or should I say "Happy Everybody's History Month" for how can the history made by blacks in America not have affected all Americans. So yes, it is all our history and the fact we have to segregate history by race, is a problem all by itself. Is America ready?

No doubt Martin Luther King would be surprised by today's presidential race. I mean who isn't? A black man or perhaps even a woman with chances of actually becoming the next Commander and Chief of the United States of America. Now let me preface this blog by saying this, I am not writing this blog to endorse any candidate because (1) most endorsements are not given for free and last time I checked, Hillary nor Barack sent me any money and (2) I feel that there is a bigger issue here. And thus I ask the question is America ready? And as I type this blog, I am listening to the words of Dr. King's "I Have A Dream" speech...it is quite a speech. Take some time to listen, I mean really LISTEN, to it in its entirety and not just the "FREE AT LAST" part. And after you do, ask yourself, is America ready? (NOTE: I have posted the speech to my blog for your listening pleasure.)

Some people look at this race and say YES, America is ready. And why wouldn't we believe it? Look at the support Hillary is getting and look at the record numbers that turn out for Obama. One could take a step back and say, looks like things are moving in the right direction. However, when you get past the political promises and eloquent speeches and dig real deep, I say we are progressing but we still have a long way to go. Because for any real change, there has to be a change in the heart.

If you don't believe me, just go on the internet and read some of the comments that folks, our American people write. I have a habit of reading the comments posted by people to various articles. It doesn't matter what the subject of the article, negative comments about race or politics are going to come up. The article could be about puppies and if two puppies in the picture are white and one is black, somebody will write, "why did they even put the black puppy in the article, he is probably a bad puppy like all black puppies?", or "why is there only one black puppy when there are two white ones, why couldn't there be two black ones and two white ones?" Are you following me?

Seriously, my point is every American has some unresolved racist issues. If you don't then God bless your soul because you are truly walking with Jesus. Anyway, I have a couple things to say and then I'll take my seat (that is what the preachers say). I think White America has to acknowledge the past and the past mistakes in order to move ahead. American ain't always beautiful. I know that sometimes the whole "race card" is played so much that it loses some validity. But if one looks past the frequency it is played to the reason it is played in the first place, one would discover that the wounds are deep and people of color have good reasons to be defensive. Wounds have to heal but they won't if the scab is continually aggitated. More importantly, serious wounds leave serious scars. Of course if one has never experienced discrimmination then one cannot relate. Is White America ready?

My second thought is this, I think Black America needs to realize that making everything about race is not productive. For instance, should Barack get the Democratic nomination, the attacks against him are going to kick it up a notch. Why? Cause he's black or because that is the nature of the political beast? I mean seriously, one has to realize that negativety is part of politics. Barack is no fool, he knew this when he decided to run. So one should not get excited everytime he or she hears or reads people say bad things about him and say it is because he's black. This may or may not be true. Battles have to be picked very carefully when one wants his or her arguments to be considered credible. In fact, if Obama got bent everytime people talked about him, he certainly isn't tough enough to run this country. Is Black America ready?

Well blog readers, as promised, I had my say and now I am going to take my virtual seat. Again, Happy Everybody's History Month! Now go and show some love to somebody of a different race!

Martin Luther King, Jr.: I Have a Dream

Spiritual Pep Rallies

Happy New Year, Blog Readers! Yep, I know it is Jan. 21 but I haven't had the chance to wish you well for 2008. Indeed I pray that all goes well for you in this year. So what thoughts have been running through this mind of mine since we last communicated? Many things but I just don't have time to put it all in the blog. However, after reading a friend's blog, I realized I have been pondering on somethings and figured it was time to share.

(DISCLAIMER ---WARNING - this is a long blog, get some juice, a snack, and use the potty.)

My church has been going through it's annual 21 Days of Spiritual Renewal services or a revival as most would call it. For me, I thought of the term a "Spiritual Pep Rally". Yall remember pep rallies from high school. (I know some of yall got to go back alittle bit further in time...hee hee). But in case it was too long ago, remember pep rallies were usually that Friday during the school day before homecoming or a big football game. The whole school would gather in the gym, auditorium, or on the football field. The band would play, the cheerleaders would cheer, and the team would be introduced. Everybody was so pumped up. I remember my senior year, my high school principal even did a little rap which at the time made him very cool. Anyway, the purpose of the pep rally was to get the school excited about the upcoming game and show undying support for the team.

Now of course, this comparison sparked from reading an email I received. It was one of those emails where the author has listed all these things women need to do when looking for Mr. Right from a spiritual perspective. Oh yeah, one of those...now don't get me wrong, it was good stuff and any lady looking for Mr. Right would no doubt be pumped after reading it. But then I thought, "we have heard all this before, we get excited but then, "plop", it's over and we are right back where we started. Like a football pep rally or a spiritual pep rally. I hear yall now, "oh here it comes"...Yes, here it comes, cause I have been pondering on why don't we stay pumped, especially when it comes to spiritual matters.

Think about the excitement at the pep rally. You love the team, they love you! RAH! RAH!!! Go TEAM!!! Then the night of the game, your team, who you swore your undying support and devotion to starts to lose. In fact, things are pretty pitiful. Then it happens, slowly the cheers fade, the love dissipates, sometimes, you get downright ugly! By the end of the game, the stands are empty. I often wonder how the players feel when they see that they have been turned on and abandoned. No doubt they want to go home too but they have to play until the clock hits "00:00". GAME OVER! But what do we do? At the next pep rally, we are back and cheering...why didn't we stay til the end of that game?

So here we are going to church every Sunday, pumped and ready for the week. The preacher is the cool, rapping principal, the choir is the cheerleaders, the congregation is the fans and who is our team, The Father, The Son, and the Holy Ghost!!! But as soon as we think our team (who by the way is never going to lose) is not playing like they should, we stop cheering, love dissipates, we get ugly, or we just plain turn our backs on the players. Although some of us come back to be pumped up again but in the meantime, we have probably thought, said, or done some things that are contrary to God's Word making things worse not better. We lost sight of the fact, God's is gonna win and no matter what is going on, He is still God. A Sovereign God!

We need to be more like 3 of my favorite bible heros, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. You know the fellows in the fiery furnace. UH, what's that? Don't I mean Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? Yeah that's them. But those were their Babylonian names given to them by a chief official. Their mama and 'dem named them Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. You see, it was Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah who grew up knowing the true Almighty God of Israel. Regardless of what the king called them, they knew who they were and Who they served. Now of course you don't have to believe me...read it in Daniel 1:6-7:

6 Among these were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. 7 The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.

Even Daniel had a new name. But for some reason, we always call him Daniel. No one ever says "Belteshazzar and the Lions' Den". Anyway, most of us know the story of the fiery furnace. King Nebuchadnezzer builds this huge idol and wants, no, demands everyone to bow down to it at the sound of the music. No doubt the king wanted to have a little pep rally for his statue. But my boys were like, "we ain't bowing, not today, not ever". So some haters told the king. Now I bet these tattle tales didn't want to bow to no dumb statue either but they didn't have the guts to say no. King Neb - 1; Team HMA - 0. Well, the king gets mad and says well, you gonna die if you don't bow. That king was something else. King Neb - 2; Team HMA - 0. Not looking good for Team HMA.

So the king asks, will your god save you if you get thrown in the fiery furnace? I bet he was smirking too, like his gold statue could do any better. Now, if this were us, we probably would have fell apart..."Alright King, we'll bow. But we ain't gonna mean it." We probably said that last part under our breath. I mean, who is really ready to go through the fire for the Lord? We can't even stand the little bit of heat we go through before we lose our pep rally spirit, much less be faced with life or death. Who are we kidding?

But we are not TEAM HMA either. Cause look at what they tell the king, Daniel 3: 16 - 17:

16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."

Check them out. Did you see that? They said, God can save us but if he doesn't, we ain't bowing!" So let me get this straight. They know God can save them. But they know He doesn't have to if he doesn't want to. There is a chance God won't give them what they want? And they are okay with this??? WHAT??? HOW??? WHY??? King Neb - 2, Team HMA - 1. Of course, this ticks the king off. So he says make the fire hotter than ever! In other words, the king is done playing, he's bringing out the secret weapon to put this game out of reach. The "TOM BRADY pass to RANDY MOSS"of all fires! King Neb - 3; Team HMA - 1.

So in the fire they go, but wait, TEAM HMA it ain't over. God could have sent some rain but nope, that's too easy. He pulls out the "big gun" or rather His big Son to join them in the fire. King Neb - 3; Team HMA - 2. Now I don't know all God's thoughts but I bet He was like, "I need to save these fellas cause they didn't turn their backs on Me no matter what. These are My boys!" I mean, even "Ride or Die" Peter, Jesus's best bud, can't claim this. On one hand he says, "Jesus, you are the son of God" and when the fire got too hot, Peter says (3 times, so you know it wasn't slip of the tongue), "Who? I don't know Jesus." So what is the final score? King Neb - 3; HMA - 4 in OT. (1 more point for surviving the fire, and 1 more point for showing the King Neb what is means to serve a real God. Remember no test, no testimony! See Daniel 3:28 - 29:

28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, "Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king's command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. 29 Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way."

So how is it, that Haniniah, Mishael, and Azariah were able to keep cheering, keep the pep rally going when the team looked like they were losing? In fact, they didn't even care if they lost. They were not going to turn their back on the Lord! WOW! Imagine if all of us who attend those spiritual pep rallies, stayed with the game until the end. Imagine showing the world, do what you want...take God off the money, take the prayer, oppress me, kill me if you have to...I will not bow down...I will not turn my back on...I will not leave God! Imagine telling God, bless me if You want to, answer my prayers if You want to, but if You don't...I will not bow down...I will not turn my back...I will not leave YOU!!!

No matter how bad things look or how they are going, don't leave the game, Blog readers! Keep cheering!